Board game involving patent transactions

ABSTRACT

A board game involving patent transactions including the acquisition of manufacturing plants and inventions related to such plants, obtaining patents on such inventions and the buying, selling and licensing of patents. All of these transactions are determined by a chance device. The complete game comprises a square playing board having a mounting for a double wheel at its center and sections marked off along its marginal portions. One corner section is marked &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Home&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;, or the starting point; another corner section is marked &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Patent Office Review&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;, while a third corner section is designated &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Patent Office&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;. The remaining sections along each margin include one marked &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Concept&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and another, &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Patent Atty.&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;, with the rest of the sections along these margins bearing data identifying a particular manufacturing plant. One section of one marginal side is designated &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Patent Auction&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;. The game set also includes: a plurality of search cards, a plurality of concept or invention cards, a plurality of patent cards, playing money, playing pieces, property chips and a set of rules.

United States Patent Purlia Nov. 26,1974

BOARD GAME INVOLVING PATENT TRANSACTIONS [76] Inventor: John MichaelPurlia, 8908 Shelbyville Rd, No. 6, Louisville, Ky. 40222 [22] Filed:Feb. 7, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 440,344

[52] US. Cl. 273/134 AD, 273/134 C, 273/134 G, 273/134 E, 273/142 E,273/142 HA [51] Int. Cl. A63f 3/00 [58] Field of Search 273/134 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.976.044 3/1961' Corpening273/134 AD 3.163.423 12/1964 Jackson 273/134 AF 3,198,521 8/1965 Krameret al 273/134 AF 3,807,739 4/l974 Henley et al. 273/134 AF [57] ABSTRACTA board game involving patent transactions including the acquisition ofmanufacturing plants and inventions related to such plants, obtainingpatents on such inventions and the buying, selling and licensing ofpatents. All of these transactions are determined by a chance device.The complete game comprises a square playing board having a mounting fora double wheel at its center and sections marked off along its marginalportions. One corner section is marked Home, or the starting point;another corner section is marked Patent Office Review, while a thirdcorner section is designated Patent Office. The remaining sections alongeach margin include one marked Concept and another, Patent Atty., withthe rest of the sections along these margins bearing data identifying aparticular manufacturing plant. One section of one marginal side isdesignated Patent Auction. The game set also includes: a plurality ofsearch cards, a plurality of concept or invention cards, a plurality ofpatent cards, playing money, playing pieces, property chips and a set ofrules.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures SEARCH CARD BROADLY PATENTABLEPATENTABILITY LIMITED *FTFWH BOARD GAME INVOLVING PATENT TRANSACTIONSThe present invention relates to board games of the Monopoly type, whichis disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,026,082, and is concernedprimarily with such a game which involves transactions related toinventions, the obtaining of patents thereon and the derivation offinancial returns from such patents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The above identified patent on Monopoly,which issued in 1935, has met with a high degree of public acceptance.Moreover, numerous other board games of this general type have evolved.One such board game has as its underlying theme stock markettransactions. Another game of this type deals with the borrowing andlending of money. So far as the applicant is aware, there is no knowngame of this character which involves transactions having to do withpatents. The present invention is founded on the belief that a boardgame which relates to particular manufacturing plants with inventionswhich are identified with such plants, the obtaining of patents on suchinventions and the derivation of financial returns from such patentswill meet with public acceptance.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing conditions in mind, thepresent invention has in view the following objectives:

1, To provide a board game which is marked off into sections, some ofwhich display data identifying manufacturing plants of a particularcharacter, others of which identify concepts for inventions, each ofwhich is related to one of the manufacturing plants, and others of whichidentify the office of a patent attorney.

2. To provide a board game of the type noted in which the board issquare and the sections are delineated in alignment along the fourmarginal portions of the board.

3. To provide, in a board game of the character aforesaid, a board whichhas a corner section marked Home which is the starting point of thegame, another corner section marked Patent Office Review and a thirdcorner section designated Patent Office.

4. To provide, in a board game of the kind described, a plurality ofconcept or invention cards which'correspend in number to the number ofmanufacturing plant sections displayed on the board, with each conceptcard identifying an invention related to a particular manufacturingplant.

5. To provide, in a board game of the type noted, a playing board havinga mount for a double wheel at its center.

6. To provide, in a board game of the character aforesaid, a doublewheel of the roulette wheel type which is removably mounted on the mounttherefor and which includes two concentric annular grooves marked offinto angular sections by radial dividers, together with a ball in eachgroove which is movable from one section to others in that groove as thewheel is rotated, together with indicia for each of the angularsections.

7. To provide, in a board game of the kind described, a plurality ofsearch cards, each of which indicates the results of a patentabilitysearch.

8. To provide, in a board game of the type noted, a board having asurface marked with an area forreceivranged on the bias, with one beingmarked Concept ing the concept cards in stacked form and another areafor receiving the search cards in a stacked condition.

9. To provide, in a board game of the character aforesaid, a pluralityof patent cards, each displaying the title of an invention whichcorresponds to the title of a concept card, the cost of the patent whichis paid to the Patent Office when the invention is broadly patentable,the cost if the invention has only limited patentability, and a fixedroyalty when the patent is to be licensed.

10. To provide a board game of the kind described which includes aplurality of playing pieces which are of different colors so that eachplayer is identified by a particular color.

11. To provide, in a board game of the character aforesaid, a pluralityof property chips, there being a plurality of chips of the same color aseach of the playing pieces so that when a player acquires amanufacturing plant he may attach a property chip of his color to thatplant to identify his ownership thereof.

12. To provide, in a board game of the type noted, an adequate supply ofplaying money which includes simulations of real money of variousdenominations.

13. To provide, in a board game of the character described, a set ofrules under which the game is played.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention,such as arise in connection with carrying out the above ideas in apractical embodiment, will in part become apparent and in part behereafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects are achieved by providinga square board of appropriate dimensions which has a playing surface andat the center of which is a mount for a double wheel. The marginalportions of the playing surface are marked off into a plurality ofsquare sections, with the sections of each marginal portion being inalignment. One corner section of the board is marked Home or with someequivalent symbol to indicate the starting point of the game. Anothercorner section is designated Patent Office Review and a third cornersection is designated Patent Office. The sections of each margin includeone section marked Concept or with an equivalent term such as Invention,and another section is designated Patent Attorney. The remainingsections along each margin bear designations of particular manufacturingplants, with all of the manufacturing plants being of a differentcharacter, with one exception: one section of one margin is designatedPatent Auction. Each of the manufacturing plant sections is formed witha groove or slot which removably receives a property chip as will belater described. The playing surface is also marked off into two areaswhich are ar- Cards and the other, Search Cards.

A plurality of concept or invention cards are provided, there being aconcept card for each manufacturing plant and one face of this card willdisplay wording identifying an invention related to a particularmanufacturing plant. In play, these cards are stacked with the names ofthe concepts on the underside and placed on the area therefor. Aplurality of search cards are also provided, there being an equal numberof cards for four search results. Thus, one group of such cards willdisplay on the face thereof the legend Invention Anticipated. Anothergroup of the same number will be marked Broadly Patentable. A thirdgroup of the same number is marked Limited Patentability and a fourthgroup of the same number is marked Patentability Doubtful. These searchcards are stacked with the faces indicating the search results on theunderside and placed on the area marked therefor.

The mounting for the double wheel comprises a circular recess dependingfrom the playing surface of the board and from the center thereofupstands a hub with a spindle projecting upwardly from the hub. Thewheel which is preferably of a plastic or other material which may beformed into the desired configuration comprises a central invertedcup-shaped member which is fitted over the hub and from which upstands atubular member that receives the spindle and has an operating member onits upper free end. Integral with the cupshaped member are twoconfronting conical walls connected by a bottom wall which define anannular groove. This groove is marked off into a plurality of angularsections by radial dividers of a height less than that of the conicalwalls. An outer annular groove is also provided by a bottom wallextending radially outwardly from the bottom wall of the inner grooveand an outer conical wall. This outer annular groove is also dividedinto angular sections by radial dividers of a height less than that of agroove. A ball is located in each of the annular grooves and is retainedtherein by a ringlike cover plate which covers both of the grooves. Atleast one of the angular sections of the outer groove is marked with thedesignation No Deal and the remaining sections display various figuresdenoting sums of money which are involved in playing the game accordingto the rules. The angular sections of the inner groove are marked withlarge numbers ranging from one to the number of angular sections. Thus,if there are eight sections, as illustrated in the drawing, the numbers1-8 are displayed in the angular sections of the inner groove. Theangular sections of the outer groove display figures indicating certainsums of money and at least one ofthem may be marked No Deal. Sums ofmoney are indicated in the inner groove by three small zeros followingeach large figure. In playing the game, the wheel is spun by a player athis turn and when the wheel comes to rest the ball in the inner groovedetermines the number of squares for which that player may move hisplaying piece. Under certain circumstances, as determined by the rulesof the game, the wheel is spun and under certain conditions the positionofthe ball in the outer groove will indicate the sum of money to betransferred in a particular transaction and under other conditions thesum of money displayed by the ball in the inner groove will becontrolling.

The game also includes a plurality of playing pieces of differentcolors. Thus, each player is identified by a particular color. Theplaying piece of each player is moved alongthe margins of the board insequential order as determined by the number of sections over which hemay move as indicated by the numbers of the sections of the innergroove.

A plurality of property chips are also provided, there being a pluralityof chips of a particular color which corresponds to the color of aplaying piece. Thus, for each playing piece there is a group of propertychips of the same color. When a player acquires a manufacturing plant asdetermined by the rules of the game, he places one of his property chipsin the groove of that manufacturing plant to indicate his ownershipthereof.

An adequate supply of playing money is also provided in simulations of$5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000. There shouldbe suffcient money to start each player with $l00,000 and afford asurplus for later transactions.

A plurality of patent cards is also provided. There is a patent card foreach concept or invention. The patent card displays the title of theinvention, the cost of the patent if the invention is broadly patentableand the cost of the patent when the invention embodies only limitedpatentability, and it displays a fixed royalty that the patentee is toreceive when the patent is licensed, as determined by the rules of thegame.

The complete game will also include a complete set of rules under whichit is to be played. Such rules, of course, are subject to variationwithin the broad principles on which the game is founded.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, referencemay be had to the following description and the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the playing board of the game based on theprecepts of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed vertical section taken on an enlarged scale throughthe central portion of the board and playing wheel, being taken on theplane of the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed vertical section also on an enlarged scale throughone of the sections of the board which identifies a manufacturing plant,being taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective ofa plurality of property chips;

FIG. Sis an elevation ofa group of the playing pieces;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective looking at the playing money in a spread-outcondition, with the bills of each denomination assembled in a group;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of the concept cards in a stacked condition, butpartially distorted therefrom;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective of the search cards, with the cards of eachresult assembled in a group and the several groups exploded, and

FIG. 9 is another top perspective of a plurality of the patent cards.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingswherein like reference characters denote corresponding elements throughthe several views, and first more particularly to FIG. 1, a playingboard is therein illustrated and identified in its entirety by thereference character 10. The board 10 may be of any appropriate material,with a good grade of cardboard being indicated as the preferredmaterial. Briefly referring to FIG. 2, board 10 has a bottom surface 11and an upper surface 12 which is the playing surface of the board. Board10 is square and presents side edges 13, l4, l5 and 16. Extending fromside edge 13 to side edge 15 are inner lines 17 and 18 which areparallel to side edges 14 and 16 respectively, while additional innerlines 19 and 20 extend between side edges 14 and 16, being parallel toside edges 13 and 15. Lines 13, 14, 17 and 19 define a corner square 21which is marked with an appropriate designation to indicate the startingpoint of the game such as the word Home displayed in FIG. 1. Lines 14,l5, l7 and 20 define another corner square 22 which is marked PatentOffice Review. Lines 13, 16, 18 and 19 define another corner square 23which is marked Patent Office, while lines 15, 16, 18 and 20 define thefourth corner square 24 which will be marked to identify a particularmanufacturing plant to be later described.

The space between the lines 14 and 17 is divided into eight squaresections. Of these eight sections, that identified at 25 bears thedesignation Concept, that at 26, the title Patent Auction and that at 27is marked Patent Atty. The remaining five sections along this margin aremarked with the designations of particular manufacturing plants,examples of which will be later described.

The space between the lines and is also divided into eight squaresections, of which that at 28 is identified as Concept and that at 29,Patent Atty. Similarly, the space between lines 16 and 18 is dividedinto eight square sections. with that at 30 marked Concept and that at31 marked Patent Atty. ln a similar manner, the space between the lines13 and 19 is marked off into eight square sections, with that at 32being designated Patent Atty., and that at 333, Concept. The remainingsections of the last three margins are identified as manufacturingplants. It will be noted that the squares marked Mfg. Plant in H6. 1will actually bear the designation of a particular manufacturing plant.Thus, purely by way of example, section 34 will be marked for enginemanufacturer. section 35 for auto manufacturer; section 36, cupmanufacturer; 37, pen manufacturer; 3%, record producer; 39 protectivedevice producer; 40, tire producer; 41, bandage maker; 42, paperproducts manufacturer; 43, shoe maker; 44, baby wear manufacturer; 24,clock manufacturer; 45, soap maker; 46, light bulb maker; 47,horticulturist; 48, musical instrument maker; 49, road paving materialproducer; 50, paint manufacturer; 5i, camera producer; 52, food heatermanufacturer; 53, calculating machine producer; 54, cigarette lightermaker; 55, stationery manufacturer; 56, radio products manufacturer.

An area 57 is marked off on what might be called the bias in that it isdiagonally disposed, and displays the title Concept Cards. it isintended that a plurality of concept cards in stacked condition beplaced on this area 57. Such concept cards are illustrated in FIG. 7,with the entire group being designated 58. it will be understood thateach of the concept cards in the stack 58 will identify an invention orconcept which is particularly related to one of the manufacturingplants. Thus, purely by way of example, the bottom-most card which isdesignated 59 would identify the invention as being ajet enginesilencer. which would be related to the engine manufacturer" of section34. Another example is that the uppermost card of stack 58 which isdesignated 60 would display the concept for a paper clip which would berelated to the stationery manufacturer of section 55 ofthe board. Tocomplete the list of inventions, without identifying each particularcard, it will be noted that one card will bear the title solar poweredautomobile. which would relate to the auto manufacturer of section 35.Another card would identify the invention spillproof drinking cup whichrelates to the cup manufacturer of board section 36.

Another card would be marked neverflll ink pen which would relate to thepen manufacturer of board section 37. Still another concept card wouldidentify an unbreakable phonograph record which relates to the recordproducer of board section 38. There would be one card marked pickprooflock which relates to the protective device producer of section 39.Another card would be marked wearproof tire which pertains to the tireproducer of board section 40. Another card would be marked bandagereplacement spray which relates to the bandage maker of section 41.Another card would be marked tearproof paper bag which relates to thepaper products manufacturer of board section 42. Another card would bearthe designation wearproof shoe which relates to the shoe maker of boardsection 43. Still another card would be marked disposable diaper whichrelates to the baby wear manufacturer of board section 44. Anotherconcept would identify an alarm clock which relates to the clockmanufacturer of section 24. Another card would identify a soap that wontburn the eyes which relates to the soap maker of board section 45.Another concept card would identify a self generating light bulb whichrelates to the light bulb maker of board section 46. Another card wouldidentify a synthetic grass seed that produces grass that dowhich relatesto the road paving material producer of board section 49. Another cardwould identify a luminescent paint that pertains to the paintmanufacturer of board section 50. Another card would identify aselfdeveloping motion picture camera which relates to the cameraproducer'of board section 51. Another concept card would identify aheat-and-serve device for frozen foods which relates to the food heatermanufacturer of section 52.

Another card would identify an electronic calculator which relates tothe calculating machine producer of section 53. Another card wouldidentify a butane cigarette lighter which relates to the cigarettelighter maker of section 54. Another card would identify a radiometerwhich relates to the radio products manufacturerof board section 56.

Also disposed on the bias of playing surface H2 is an area 61 whichdisplays the title Search Cards. A stack of such searchcards isillustrated in FIG. 8 and designated generally 62. it includes a groupof cards 63 which bears the designation Broadly Patentable. Purely byway of example, it may be noted that there may be six of the cards 63.Another group 'of cards 64 bears the legend Anticipated or inventionAnticipated. Another group of cards 65 are designated PatentabilityLimited and still another group 66 bears the designation PatentabilityDoubtful. There would also be six cards in each of groups 64, 65, and66.

Referring again to FIG. ll, each of the board sections which bear thedesignation of a' manufacturing plant is formed with a groove or slot 67which opens at the upper side thereof preferably adjacent to themarginal edge of that section.

Referring now to H08. 3 and 4, a plurality of property chips areillustrated in H0. 4 and designated 66. These chips 68 are of differentcolors with each color being the same as that of a playing piece to belater described. lt is intended that each slot 67 be susceptible ofreceiving one of the playing chips 68 in the manner depicted in FIG. 3.Without here entering into a detailed explanation of the rules of thegame it will be noted that each player is provided with a plurality ofthe playing chips 68 which are the same color as his playing piece andwhen that player acquires title to a manufacturing plant he places oneof these chips 68 in the slot 67 to noticeably call attention to thefact that title to that particular manufacturing plant is vested in thatplayer.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is therein illustrated a group of playingpieces which are identified in their entirety by the reference character69. While the number may be varied, it is intended that there be six ofsuch playing pieces, three being replicas of men, and 3, representationsof women. Thus, the three pieces 70, 71 and 72 are miniature men and areof different colors as indicated by the shading. Likewise, the pieces73, 74 and 75 are replicas of women and are also of colors which are notonly different from each other but different from the colors of the malepieces.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, board is shown as formed witha recess 76 which is located centrally thereof and which opens ontoplaying surface 12. Recess 76 is defined by a conical wall 77 andresults in the formation of a thin bottom wall 78 of the board fromwhich upstands a central hub 79. Hub 79 defines a bore 80 which iscounterbored at 81 and fitted in this bore 80 is the thickened portion82 of a spindle 83. This thickened portion 82 has a head 84 which isreceived in the counterbore 81.

A wheel designated generally 85 is preferably made of an appropriateplastic which is readily susceptible of being molded or fashioned intothe desired shape and includes a central inverted cup-shaped member 86which is fitted over hub 79 and is maintained in spaced relationrelative thereto by the shoulder between spindle 83 and the thickenedportion 82 thereof and the relative diameters of the hub 79 andcup-shaped member 86.

Integrally joined to this cup-shaped member 86 and extending upwardlytherefrom is a tubular member 87 having a bore 88 which receives spindle83. The upper end of tubular member 87 is formed with a knob 89 whichfunctions as a finger engaging member for purposes of spinning wheel 85.

Cup-shaped member 86 presents a conical wall 90 from the lower edge ofwhich extends a bottom wall 91 with a second conical wall 92 upstandingfrom the outer peripheral edge of bottom wall 91. These walls 90, 91 and92 define an annular groove 93 which is divided into eight annularsections by radial dividers 94. The upper exposed faces of these angularsections display the large numerals 1-8 as illustrated in FIG. 1, eachof which is followed by three small zeros, which, with the figure,indicates sums of money, with each sum being in one of the angularsections. A ball 95 is disposed in annular groove 93 and upon spinningof the wheel 85 is adapted to ride over the dividers 94 which,

it will be noted, are of a height less than that of thegrooves.

Conical wall 92 is formed as part of an annular ridge 96 from the loweredge of which a bottom wall 97 extends radially outwardly to an outerconical wall 98. Ridge 96, bottom 97 and wall 98 define an outer annulargroove 99 which is divided into eight angular sections by radialdividers 100. A ball 101 is positioned in this outer groove 99 and uponspinning of the wheel will ride over the dividers 100 as above describedin connection with ball 95. A ring-like cover plate 102 closes thegrooves 93 and 99 and retains balls and 101 therein. The upper surfaceof the bottom wall 97 of each angular section of outer groove 99displays figures denoting a sum of money or the term No Deal as depictedin FIG. 1.

A supply of playing money is illustrated in FIG. 6 and designatedgenerally 103. Purely by way of example, it is shown as comprising: 30$5 bills in stack 104; 30 $10 bills in stack 105; 60 $20 bills in stack106; 60 $50 bills in stack 107; 60 $100 bills in stack 108; 60 $500bills in stack 109; 60 $1,000 bills in stack 110; 60 $5,000 bills instack 111 and 60 $10,000 bills in stack 112. This provides a total of$1,000,650 in playing money which is ample for playing the game inaccordance with the rules to be hereafter set forth.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a plurality of patent cards are thereinillustrated and designated generally 113. There is a patent card foreach of the concept or inven tion cards 58. Each patent card displaysthe title of the invention on the line shown at 114. It also indicatesthe cost of the patent if the search establishes that the invention isbroadly patentable on line 115. If the search card indicates that theinvention embodies only limited patentability, the cost of the patentunder this condition is indicated on line 116. And, finally, the fixedroyalty of the patent is set forth in line 117.

RULES OF THE GAME AND METHOD OF PLAY It will be understood that therules of the game and method of play are subject to variation within awide range, the principal factor being that the concept or inventioncards are related to the particular manufacturing plants and the searchcards indicate the results of the search and the type and cost of thepatent which may be obtained thereon.

One set of rules embodying this principle is set forth as follows:

I. It is intended that the game be played by from two to six players.Each of these players selects a playing piece and is given $100,000 inplaying money. He is also given an adequate number of property chipswhich correspond in color to his playing piece. One of the players isselected as the banker for the Patent Office and the patent attorney.

2. Play begins at board section 21 which is marked Home. A player spinswheel 85 and as the wheel comes to rest, ball 95 will be positioned inone of the angular sections in inner groove 93. This position of theball designates the number from one to eight which is to be effective incontrolling that move of the player. He then moves his playing piecethat number of sections away from section 21 in a socalled clockwisedirection, that is downwardly from the righthand side of the board asdisplayed in FIG. 1.

3. Should the player land on a section marked concept, he draws aConcept Card from the top of stack 58 which is positioned over playingarea 57. He retains this card in his possession until on a subsequentplaying turn he lands on a section marked Patent Attorney. This entitleshim to initiate proceedings to obtain a patent on this concept. This isaccomplished by paying the banker who represents the patent attorney asum of money to cover the cost of a patentability search. By way ofexample, this sum is established at $125. He then draws a Search Cardfrom the top of stack 62 which is on area 61. Ifthe search cardindicates that the invention is Anticipated, he returns the search cardto the stack on area 61 and the concept card'to the stack on area 57. Ifthe card he draws should bear the designation Patentability Doubtful,the card is returned to the bottom of the stack on area 61 and anothercard drawn from the top of the stack. If he draws a card marked eitherBroadly Patentable or Limited Patentability, he retains both the searchand concept cards.

4. When a player reaches the Patent Office, either by landing directlythereon as at the completion of a move, or by passing the Patent Office,he can if he so desires, acquire a patent on the invention indicated byhis concept card. The cost will be displayed on the particular patentcard and will depend on whether the invention is broadly patentable orhas only limited patentability, as indicated by the search card.

5. When a player lands on a manufacturing plant section, that is, uponthe completion of any move, he may buy that manufacturing plant. Thepurchase price is determined by spinning the wheel and is indicated onthe outer wheel, that is, in the angular section of outer groove 99 inwhich ball 101 comes to rest. If the ball lands on a section marked NoDeal, the player cannot buy the plant at that time. If the player doesbuy the plant, he places one of his property chips 68 in the groove 67of that manufacturing plant section to indicate his ownership thereof.

6. If a player holds a patent on a particular invention, it is uselessunless he also owns the corresponding manufacturing plant or haslicensed or sold the patent.

7. When a player owns a manufacturing plant and holds the patent on aninvention related thereto, and should another player land on thismanufacturing plant section, the wheel is spun and the player so landingmust pay to the respective owner and patent holder the amount shown onthe outer wheel. This sum represents the cost of the plant product whichhe has purchased. Should No Deal be indicated on the outer wheel, hebuys nothing and pays nothing.

8. Should a player own a manufacturing plant, but not the patent on theinvention related thereto, but has acquired a license to this patent, asby negotiation between the players, the conditions of Rule 7 apply, withthe following exception: when the player who lands on the manufacturingplant section spins the wheel, the plant owner collects the sum of moneydisplayed on a bottom surface 91 of the angular section of inner groove93 in which ball 95 comes to rest. This sum of money is ordinarily lessthan the corresponding sum of money displayed on the outer groove. Thus,the plant owner receives a sum which is less when the patent is merelylicensed, as compared to having ownership thereof.

9. Should a player land on a manufacturing plant section which he doesnot own but holds the patent on an invention related to thatmanufacturing plant, the owner may acquire license under that patent byspinning the wheel and paying to the patent holder whatever price isindicated on the outer wheel. If No Deal is indicated on the outerwheel, then the plant ownership must wait until one again lands on hissection to acquire the license.

10. Should the holder of a patent land on a manufacturing plant sectionwhich he does not own and to which his patent is related, the patentholder may sell his patent to the plant owner by negotiating thepurchase price. The patent holder does not have to sell the patent if hedoes not wish to do so.

ll. Should a player land on the section marked Patent Auction at the endof a move and holds title to one or more patents, he may place any ofsuch patents up for bid. All of the remaining players have the right tobid, with the amount of such bids being determined by spinning thewheel, with the price being indicated on the outer wheel. Should theplayer holding the patent desire not to sell he may exercise this rightby spinning the wheel and if No Deal is indicated on the outer wheel,then he does not have to sell the patent.

12. Should a player land on the section marked Patent Office Review, thewheel is spun and the player collects the amount shown on the outerwheel for each patent he owns.

13. Should a player hold a patent on which a license has been extendedto a manufacturing plant owner, everytime the patent holder passes thatmanufacturing plant section the plant owner must pay to him the fixedroyalty indicated on the patent.

14. While the playing of the game may be substantially continuous ornon-ending, provision may be made for determining a winner by causing aplayer to drop out anytime he goes bankrupt, that is, when he runs outof playing money.

While a preferred specific. embodiment is herein disclosed, it is to beclearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exactconstructions, mechanisms and rules illustrated and described becausevarious modifications of these details may be provided in putting theinvention into practice. 3

What is claimed is:

1. in a board game,

a. a rectangular board having a playing surface and four side edges,

b. a plurality of playing sections arranged in alignment along each ofsaid side edges, one of said playing sections constituting the startingpoint of the game and another section displaying a symbol representingthe Patent Office;

0. one playing section along each side edge displaying a symbol denotingan inventive concept and another playing section along that side edgedisplaying a symbol denoting the office of a patent attorney, andremaining playing sections along this side edge displaying symbolsdenoting manufacturing plants of different character;

d. a plurality of concept cards, each of which identifies an inventionrelated to a particular manufacturing plant'denoted on a playingsection, there being a concept card for each manufacturing plant sectionon said board;

e. a plurality of search cards, each of which displays the result of apatentability search;

f. a plurality of patent cards, each of which identifies an invention ona concept card and displays the cost of the patent of that card;

g. a plurality of playing pieces of different colors;

h. a plurality of property chips of colors corresponding to the colorsof the playing pieces;

i. a supply of playing money, and

j. a chance device for determining the number of playing sections overwhich a playing piece is moved and also the price of certaintransactions involving patents. 2. The board game of claim 1 in whichsaid board is square and the playing section which indicates thestarting point'of the game is at a corner of the board and the playingsection which denotes the Patent Office is at another corner of theboard.

3. The board game of claim 2 in which the playing surface of the boardhas an area marked thereon for receiving said concept cards in stackedcondition and another area marked thereon for receiving said searchcards in stacked formation.

4. The board game of claim 2 in which the board is formed with a groovein each playing section which denotes a manufacturing plant and theproperty chips take the form of discs dimensioned to be removablypositioned in said grooves.

5. The board game of claim 2 in which one of the playing sections of theboard at a corner displays a symbol denoting Patent Office Review andanother playing section displays a symbol denoting Patent Auction.

6. The board game of claim 1 in which the chance device takes the formof a double wheel of the roulette type which is mounted centrally of theboard and projects upwardly from the playing surface thereof.

7. The board game of claim 6 in which the board is formed at its centerwith a recess opening into the upper face thereof and defined by aconical surface and a bottom wall; a hub upstanding from the center ofsaid bottom wall, and the double wheel includes a central invertedcup-shaped member fitted over said hub; an

inner annular groove immediately adjacent to said cupshaped member anddivided into angular sections by radial dividers, with the angularsections being pro vided with indicia; a ball in said inner annulargroove; an outer annular groove immediately adjacent to said innerannular groove and divided into angular sections by radial dividers; aball in said outer annular groove; indicia on the angular sections ofsaid outer groove, and a cover plate closing both of said grooves.

8. The board game of claim 7, together with a spindle extending throughsaid hub and cup-shaped member and a tubular member formed integral withsaid cupshaped member extending upwardly therefrom and having a borereceiving said spindle and a finger engaging member at the outer end ofsaid tubular member.

9. The board game of claim 1 in which each of the patent cards indicatesa cost of the patent which is related to the results of a patentabilitysearch as indicated on a search card.

10. The board game of claim 9 in which a plurality of the search cardsindicate that the concept is anticipated, another group of the searchcards indicates that the invention is broadly patentable, and anothergroup indicates that the concept is of limited patentability.

1. In a board game, a. a rectangular board having a playing surface andfour side edges, b. a plurality of playing sections arranged inalignment along each of said side edges, one of said playing sectionsconstituting the starting point of the game and another sectiondisplaying a symbol representing the Patent Office; c. one playingsection along each side edge displaying a symbol denoting an inventiveconcept and another playing section along that side edge displaying asymbol denoting the office of a patent attorney, and remaining playingsections along this side edge displaying symbols denoting manufacturingplants of different character; d. a plurality of concept cards, each ofwhich identifies an invention related to a particular manufacturingplant denoted on a playing section, there being a concept card for eachmanufacturing plant section on said board; e. a plurality of searchcards, each of which displays the result of a patentability search; f. aplurality of patent cards, each of which identifies an invention on aconcept card and displays the cost of the patent of that card; g. aplurality of playing pieces of different colors; h. a plurality ofproperty chips of colors corresponding to the colors of the playingpieces; i. a supply of playing money, and j. a chance device fordetermining the number of playing sections over which a playing piece ismoved and also the price of certain transactions involving patents. 2.The board game of claim 1 in which said board is square and the playingsection which indicates the starting point of the game is at a corner ofthe board and the playing section which denotes the Patent Office is atanother corner of the board.
 3. The board game of claim 2 in which theplaying surface of the board has an area marked thereon for receivingsaid concept cards in stacked condition and another area marked thereonfor receiving said search cards in stacked formation.
 4. The board gameof claim 2 in which the board is formed with a groove in each playingsection which denotes a manufacturing plant and the property chips takethe form of discs dimensioned to be removably positioned in saidgrooves.
 5. The board game of claim 2 in which one of the playingsections of the board at a corner displays a symbol denoting PatentOffice Review and another playing section displays a symbol denotingPatent Auction.
 6. The board game of claim 1 in which the chance devicetakes the form of a double wheel of the roulette type which is mountedcentrally of the board and projects upwardly from the playing surfacethereof.
 7. The board game of claim 6 in which the board is formed atits center with a recess opening into the upper face thereof and definedby a conical surface and a bottom wall; a hub upstanding from the centerof said bottom wall, and the double wheel includes a central invertedcup-shaped member fitted over said hub; an inner annular grooveimmediately adjacent to said cup-shaped member and divided into angularsections by radial dividers, with the angular sections being providedwith indicia; a ball in said inner annular groove; an outer annulargroove immediately adjacent to said inner annular groove and dividedinto angular sections by radial dividers; a ball in said outer annulargroove; indicia on the angular sections of said outer groove, and acover plate closing both of said grooves.
 8. The board game of claim 7,together with a spindle extending through said hub and cup-shaped memberand a tubular member formed integral with said cup-shaped memberextending upwardly therefrom and having a bore receiving said spindleand a finger engaging member at the outer end of said tubular member. 9.The board game of claim 1 in which each of the patent cards indicates acost of the patent which is related to the results of a patentabilitysearch as indicated on a search card.
 10. The board game of claim 9 inwhich a plurality of the search cards indicate that the concept isanticipated, another group of the search cards indicates that theinvention is broadly patentable, and another group indicates that theconcept is of limited patentability.